g'day tappie.... from the Explanatory Memorandum:
General purpose of the Bill
The purpose of the Bill is to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia in the Constitution through an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to the Parliament and the Executive Government.
The Voice would be an independent advisory body that would be empowered to make representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The intention is that the members of the Voice would be selected by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples based on the wishes of local communities by such means as the Parliament specifies.
The constitutional amendment would enshrine a Voice in the Constitution, including its core function of making representations.
It would also empower the Parliament to enact legislation about matters relating to the Voice, including its composition, functions, powers and procedures. The Parliament should have flexibility to ensure the Voice can adapt and respond to the contemporary needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The Voice would be able to make representations on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. While the constitutional nature of the body and its expertise in matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples would give weight to the representations of the Voice, those representations would be advisory in nature.
The constitutional amendment confers no power on the Voice to prevent, delay or veto decisions of the Parliament or the Executive Government.
The constitutional amendment would not oblige the Parliament or the Executive Government to consult the Voice prior to enacting, amending or repealing any law, making a decision, or taking any other action.
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2023B00060/Explanatory%20Memorandum/Text
(1) you're quite right it says nothing about "disadvantage" as such.... this is because there are more issues that Gov makes laws for than exclusively disadvantaged people. still, if you read further (generally) on the actual Voice intentions, available in a range of sources, you'll see one of the primary concerns that have motivated the Uluru working group over the years in its development, in regional and local meetings, you'll see that disadvantage runs as a high priority.
I also get your point wrt "no-one's REALLY listened to the "Voices" that eventually matter most: the people that vote." .. fair point. parliament itself is supposed to be the Voice of the general public, those who vote. parliament has had a lot of discussion but the problem has been that pollies only really listen to their own political party side.
polling is showing a range of opinion but this too is totally inadequate to form a "voice" of voters as so many have been persuaded, or dissuaded, by political argument. on HC we have a dominant cohort of Lib supporters, so we hear the voices of those that support the No! vote. but only a few political operatives read these opinions, and I doubt that any true lefties actually exist on HC.
its a difficult point isn't it.
cheers tappie. respect for your posting.
